DB Tony Brown climbs back to a strong season
Tony Brown looks at each obstacle in life as a mountain he has to overcome.
The University of Alabama defensive back spent most of the football season climbing his way back from not playing at all to starting for the Crimson Tide. He had to serve a four-game suspension from the NCAA at the start of the season after also getting sent home from the Cotton Bowl the season prior.
“I wouldn’t even say (it was) disappointing. I would say it was definitely heartbreaking,” Brown said. “But it’s something I learned from. I don’t forget about it. I think about it every day.”
The constant reminder forces Brown to appreciate the opportunities he still had. He was a strong contributor to Alabama’s success this season, tallying 32 tackles and two interceptions. He made a season-high seven tackles during the national championship.
Brown’s journey to the peak wasn’t easy, but he didn’t have to go through it alone. His mother, Tammy, was by his side the entire time.
“She was everything she needed to be,” Brown said. “I felt like she handled the situation perfectly as her son. I felt like that has showed through my successes through the rest of the season.”
Defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley said he thinks Brown’s mother is a phenomenal woman. He’s grateful for how present she is in her son’s life. She’s the one person who’s always able to direct Brown back on track when things get tough.
All Brown wants to do is make his mother proud. That’s why he is graduating a year early in May. He’s majoring in communication studies with an emphasis in business and will take the GRE this summer for graduate school.
“No matter how many passes he picks off, that degree nobody can ever take from him,” Ansley said.
As a junior, Brown, also a member of UA’s track and field team, will have a year left of NCAA eligibility.
Brown’s mother isn’t just his biggest fan in the stands. She’s his biggest influence in life. She set the standard as a former student-athlete and college graduate herself.
“She’s the strongest woman in my life,” he said. “She’s helped me through everything. She’s been there through the ups and downs my entire life. She’s seen me grow into what I am right now.”
There were others, too.
Brown has three siblings, and they’re all sisters. Two are older and also in college. One is younger and in sixth grade. Brown is very protective of them and believes they’ve taught him how to be man.
Being a valiant brother isn’t restricted to Brown’s home in Beaumont, Texas, either.
“He’s ready to fight any moment. He’s ready to go to war with me,” fellow defensive back Anthony Averett said. “He’s just a good teammate. I know that.”
Although the circumstances were less than ideal, Brown conquered his latest mountain. Ansley saw Brown be more accountable toward his coaches and teammates than he ever was before.
Sometimes, lessons have to be learned the hard way.
“Every decision matters in life,” Brown said. “You should think about how every decision is going to affect you.”
Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.
